Collapsible leg assemblies for table top



Jan. 22, 1957 N. MAYER' 2,778,700

COLLAPSIBLE we ASSEMBLIES FOR TABLE TOP Filed Feb. 17, 1955 FIG. 2. FIG. 1.

INVENTOR. 1V4 THA/V MAYEQ A; BY

. 7 v A TQRNE) United States Patent 7 2,778,700 COLLAPSIBLE LEG ASSEMBLIES FOR TABLE TOP Nathan Mayer, Bronx, N. Y. Application February 17, 1955, Serial No. 488,860 6 Claims. (Cl. 311-77) The present invention relates to furniture assemblies, and particularly to collapsible table constructions.

Numerous uses may be found for collapsible furniture assembly including a body member serving as a table top, seat, or when of an appropriate size, as a picnic plate, in association with a leg section. For example, widespread application may be found for a table having a pedestal support which may be collapsed into a relatively compact and flat assembly when not used, and extended to provide an elevated support for the table body or top. One such application is in the provision of a picnic plate or tray.

It is an object of the present invention to provide furniture, such as tables, which may be readily collapsed into a compact, flat assembly. To advantage, such construction embodies simplicity as a keynote, making the same readily useful as a consumer item and comparatively cheap to manufacture.

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will bebest appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of a presently preferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiment, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showingan illustrative collapsible table useful as a picnic plate or tray, embodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the table shown in Fig. 1, illustrated in the collapsed position with the leg assembly folded back against and in contact with the undersurface of the table top or body;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the table inverted and partially assembled; and

Fig. 4 is an inverted perspective view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the table in the assembled position.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, there is shown a collapsible table assembly embodying features of the present invention. Although the illustrative form of the invention shows a unit particularly suitable for use by an individual when outdoors as a picnic tray or plate, it is to be expressly understood that the construction to be described finds equal application in the manufacture of collapsible kitchen tables, bridge tables, occasional tables, stools and the like.

Specficially, the furniture assembly 10 includes a top or body member 12, illustrated as a circular disc of metal. Operatively connected to the body or top member 12 are legs or props which are movable from an extended position (illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4) wherein a pedestal support is provided for the top or body member 12, to a collapsed or retracted position (illustrated in Fig. 2) wherein the pedestal support underlies and abuts the top or body member 10. Specifically, the supporting structure includes a generally Ushaped leg section 14, including a cross bar 16, and spaced legs 18, 20 secured to the cross bars at opposite ends thereof and extending parallel to each other and at right angles to the cross bar 16. The cross bar 16 is disposed flush against the undersurface of the top or body member 12 and is pivotally supported thereon by brackets or bearings 22, 24 secured to the top or body member 12, as by rivets 26. Thus, the leg section 14 is swingable about the cross bar as its axis from a collapsed position in substantial coplanar relation with the flat undersurface of the body member 12 to an extended position wherein the legs 18, 20 are substantially at right angles to the undersurface of the body member 12.

Assembled with the leg sections 14, is a prop section, generally designated by the reference numeral 28, which cooperates with the support 14 to provide a tripod mount for the body or top member 12, as illustrated best in Figs. 1 and 4. The prop section 28 includes the prop or leg 30, a pivot pin 32 extending substantially parallel to the prop 30, and a cross bar 34 interconnecting the prop 30 and the pivot pin 32. As seen best in Fig. 2, the leg 20 of the leg section 14 is somewhat shorter than the leg 18 such that the pivot pin 32 may be brought into substantial end-to-end alignment with the leg 20 with the supporting portions 30a, 32a of the prop section in substantially the plane of the lower terminal end 13a of the leg 18. The pivot pin 32 is slipped into a longitudinally slit sleeve 36 which has a force fit over a portion of the leg 20 and serves as a bearing or pivotal mount for the pin 32. Accordingly, the prop section may be swung (as illustrated by the arrow in Fig. 3) from a position in substantial coplanar relation with the leg section to an extended position wherein the prop 30 is disposed at a distance from the leg 18. In the extended position, prop portions 30a, 32a cooperate with the supporting portion 18a to provide a support for the top or body member 12. In that the cross member 34 is composed of converging sections which slope gradually away from the plane of the supporting points 18a, 30a, 32a, a tripod support is provided which in itself is particularly useful when supporting the assembly on an uneven or irregular surface.

In order to lock the prop section 28 in the extended position illustrated in Fig. 4, appropriate detent means are provided on the undersurface of the top or body member 12 which receive the free end 30b of the prop 30. Such detent means is illustrated as a catch 36 in cluding a plate 38, secured to the undersurface of the body or top member 12 by rivets 40, and a depending integral boss 42. Upon compound motion of" the prop 30, the free end 30b thereof may be inserted within the bore of the sleeve or boss 42 to secure the prop section 28 in the extended position. Such compound movement consists of swinging movement of the leg section 14 about the cross bar 16 as an axis and movement of the prop section 28 about the pivot pin 32 as an axis. To facilitate the securement of the prop to the catch 36, the prop 30 may be swung somewhat outwardly from a parallel position relative to the pin 32 as seen best in Fig. 2. Thus, it is necessary to exert an inward and somewhat straightening pressure on the prop 30 to bring the free end 30]; thereof into position for insertion into the catch. In that the leg assembly is made of metal, this tensioning of the prop is achieved simply and easily.

The collapse and extension of the tripod support in relation to the top member may be achieved simply and easily. For example, starting with the assembly in the position illustrated in Fig. 4, it is merely necessary to grasp the prop section 28 and pull upwardly to swing the leg section 14 about the cross bar 16 as an axis, whereupon the end 30b of the prop may be disengaged from the catch. Thereupon, the prop 28 is swung into coplanar relation with the leg section 14 and the assembly of the leg and prop section is then swung about the cross bar 16 into the position of Fig. 2.

A latitude of modification and substitution is intended in the foregoing illustrative embodiment, and accordingly the appended claims should be construed broadly; in certain instances certain features of the invention will be used without a corresponding use of other features.

What is claimed is:

l. A furniture assembly comprising a top, and support means operatively connected to said top for movement from an extended position providing a pedestal support for said top to a collapsed position underlying and abutting said top, said support means including a first section having spaced legs and an interconnecting cross bar, means pivoted connecting said cross bar to the undersurface of said top whereby said legs may be swung to an extended position at substantially right angles to said top, a second section having a prop, and means pivotally connecting said second section to said first section whereby said prop may be swung to an extended position spaced from said legs and cooperating therewith to form a tripod support.

2. A furniture assembly comprising a top, and support means operatively connected to said top for movement from an extended position providing a pedestal support for said top to a collapsed position underlying and abutting said top, said support means including a first section having spaced legs and an interconnecting cross bar, means pivoted connecting said cross bar to the undersurface of said top whereby said legs may be swung to an extended position at substantially right angles to said top, a second section having a prop, means pivotally connecting said second section to said first section whereby said prop may be swung to an extended position spaced from said legs and cooperating therewith to form a tripod support, and means engageable with said prop for releasably securing said prop in said extended position.

3. A furniture assembly comprising a top, and support means operatively connected to said top for movement from an extended position providing a pedestal support for said top to a collapsed position underlying and abutting said top, said support means including a U-shaped section having spaced legs and an interconnecting cross bar, means pivoted connecting said cross bar to the undersurface of said top whereby said legs may be swung to an extended position at substantially right angles to said top, a prop section, and means pivotally connecting said prop section to said leg section whereby said prop section may be swung to an extended position.

4. A collapsible table comprising a top, a leg section including a cross bar and legs secured to said cross bar, said cross bar underlying said top, means operatively connected to said cross bar and mounting said leg section for swinging movement from a collapsed position wherein said legs extend at right angles to said top, a prop section including a cross bar and a prop, and means operatively connected to the cross bar of said prop section and to one leg of said leg section and mounting said prop section for swinging movement from a collapsed position in substantial coplanar relation with said leg section to an extended position wherein said prop cooperates with said leg to define a tripod support.

5. A collapsible table comprising a top, a leg section including a cross bar and legs secured to said cross bar, said cross bar underlying said top, means operatively connected to said cross bar and mounting said leg section for swinging movement from a collapsed position wherein said legs underly and abut said top to an extended position wherein said legs extend at right angles to said top, a prop section including a cross bar and a prop, means operatively connected to the cross bar of said prop section and to one leg of said leg section and mounting said prop section for swinging movement from a collapsed position in substantial coplanar relation with said leg section to an extended position wherein said prop cooperates with said leg to define a tripod support, and detent means on said top and engageable with said prop for releasably securing said prop section in said extended position.

6. A collapsible table comprising a top, a leg section including a cross bar and legs secured to said cross bar, said cross bar underlying said top, means operatively connected to said cross bar and mounting said leg section for swinging movement about said cross bar as an axis, and a prop section including a cross bar and a prop, and means operatively connected to the cross bar of said prop section and to one leg of said leg section and mounting said prop section for swinging movement about said one leg as an axis.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 899,383 Canniff Sept. 22, 1908 2,053,789 Hardy Sept. 8, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS 127,846 Australia Aug. 29, 1945 181,496 Switzerland Dec. 31, 1935 611,824 Great Britain Nov. 4, 1948 675,355 Great Britain July 9, 1952 

